Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Soap Opera on The Hill

The announcement that quarterback Mitch Mustain has asked for his release from Arkansas is the second shockwave out of Fayetteville this week. On Monday, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left to become assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Tulsa. Last winter, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, above, hired Malzahn from nearby Springdale High, where Mustain was completing his senior season. Essentially, outsiders viewed the move to hire Malzahn as a way to secure the commitment of Mustain, regarded as one of the nation's top recruits. It worked, and Mustain started eight games and won them all. But in December, the parents of Mustain and two other freshmen met with Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles to express their displeasure with the run-oriented offense that featured Heisman runnerup Darren McFadden. Soon after the meeting, receiver Damian Williams, also a Springdale product, announced he was transferring to USC. ... The reason behind Mustain's decision remains a mystery, although his grandmother told TV station KARK that "it had nothing to do with the play-calling." Check out this video from the station. As for who will replace Malzahn, Nutt said former Miami coach Larry Coker and Dallas Cowboys assistant David Lee were two of the candidates. A third candidate was not named because he currently has a college coaching job.Update: David Lee has been named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.